Practically Classics Forum

I admit this isn't exactly a classic car question, though some might disagree. My 96 mx5 (mk1) has 130k on the clock and runs like a Swiss watch. Last weekend I took it to London and obviously done a lot of clutch work, at one point it felt like the clutch didn't come up fully and I didn't seem to be going anywhere but as it was raining I put this down to wheel spin, for the 100+ miles home I had no issues. Today driving home from work it felt like the revs climbed quicker than my speed when in lower gears (1st and 2nd) specifically when accelerating off roundabouts. But once in 4 and 5th gear I can Accelerate from 35 up a hill without any problems (ie speed increases quicker than revs). It also seems that after stoping and leaving the car for 10mins the problem goes away for a while.

I'm not loosing any clutch fluid or getting bubbles in cylinder?

What do you reckon my problem is, any ideas?

That does sound like clutch slip. It may be better when the clutch is cold.
It is possible that your clutch isn't engaging fully but 130,000 miles is pretty good for a clutch if it has not been changed previously.
If you find a steep-ish hill and boot it going up, see if the revs rise much more quickly than the car gains speed. You will probably smell it if you do that too.

Agree, sounds like clutch slip.

When stationary, put it in top gear and let out the clutch, with a bit of throttle as if you are going to pull away. If it stalls the engine sharply then the clutch is OK, if it still revs or doesn't stall straight away with your foot off the clutch pedal push the clutch back down sharpish and plan for a clutch change. Health warning - this method is a bit brutal and if your clutch is near to death then this might well finish it off, so your call.....

It wouldn't cause any harm to a healthy clutch though, so long as you don't use full throttle!

Cheers

I took my Mk4 Golf in to the local garage four or five years ago as I felt that the clutch wasn't at its best - it felt like it was slipping when accelerating on hills etc. Kevin, the mechanic (and near neighbour) said he'd check it as, when I tried, the revs died down a little and the car did try to move forward. Five minutes later, Kev declared it "ducked" - I already realised that as I could hardly see the front of the car for smoke!

I almost wish the Landy would do the same - it is well stuck and a morning "rolling" the soil in front of the shed on Saturday hasn't released it - though the engine got nice and warm! I'd take it down the road for some more aggressive "treatment", but the windscreen is shattered. I'd have changed the windscreen this week - but I have got a bad cold.